Choking – Dogs

Choking in dogs can result from various factors, including:

• Foreign objects:

  • Toys, bones, sticks, or food items lodged in the throat.

• Swelling:

  • Allergic reactions causing airway swelling.
  • Insect stings inside the mouth or throat.

• Medical conditions:

  • Laryngeal paralysis or other disorders affecting the throat.
  • Heat stress, particularly in brachycephalic (flat-nosed) breeds.

Preventative measures include supervising your dog during play and avoiding giving them small objects or toys that can be swallowed.

Immediate first aid steps

1. Ensure safety:

   • Approach your dog calmly to avoid increasing their stress.
   • Be cautious to prevent bites; do not place your fingers in the mouth of an aggressive or panicking dog.

2. Check the airway:

   • Open your dog’s mouth and gently pull the tongue forward.
   • Perform a careful finger sweep to remove any visible obstructions, such as food, vomit, or foreign objects.
   • Be cautious not to push objects further into the throat.

3. For small dogs:

   • Hold your dog securely with their back against your chest.
   • Place your hands just below the rib cage and apply firm, quick pressure inward and upward (Heimlich manoeuvre).

4. For large dogs:

   • If standing, wrap your arms around your dog’s belly, making a fist with one hand just below the rib cage.
   • Apply firm, quick pressure inward and upward.
   • If lying down, place one hand on the back for support and use the other hand to squeeze the abdomen upward and forward.

5. Reassess and seek professional help:

   • After attempting to dislodge the object, check the mouth again for any visible obstructions and remove them if possible.
   • Regardless of the outcome, seek immediate veterinary attention to ensure no further complications.

Important: Avoid performing the Heimlich manoeuvre if you are not trained, as improper technique can cause injury. Always prioritise getting to a vet promptly.

Veterinary care depends on the underlying cause. Your vet may need to sedate or anaesthetise your pet to enable control of the airway. An emergency tracheostomy (an incision into the trachea in the neck) may be required.

Anti-inflammatories and anti-histamines may be administered in the case of airway swelling.

Your vet will perform a full physical examination and assess your pet. Additional diagnostic tests may include blood and urine tests, airway examination (potentially under sedation or anaesthesia) and X-rays.

Treatment depends on the underlying cause. In the case of upper airway obstruction, removal of a foreign body may be the only treatment required. Some animals will require artificial ventilation.

Worried about your dog’s choking incident? Contact Lort Smith immediately

If your dog is experiencing choking, swift action is essential. Our North Melbourne Accident and Emergency department is open 365 days a year, no bookings required. If possible, we recommend calling to let us know you are on the way.

You can also call or book an appointment online for our North Melbourne or Campbellfield clinics.

Macintire DK, Drobatz KJ, Haskins SC and Saxon WD (2006) Manual of small animal emergency and critical care medicine. Oxford: Blackwell.